Who Are We Without Memory?

Synopsis

Who Are We Without Memory? delves into the profound question of identity in the face of fading recollections. This book posits that memory is not merely a record of the past, but the fundamental architecture of personal identity, moral continuity, emotional meaning, and collective truth. Through an accessible blend of philosophy, psychology, and contemporary cultural analysis, Julien Delange examines how various forms of forgetting—from the natural processes of aging and trauma to the societal phenomenon of collective amnesia and the externalisation of memory onto digital platforms—reshape who we are and how we function, both individually and as a society. It encourages readers to view identity not as a fixed entity, but as a dynamic construct continually rebuilt through the act of remembering. This reflective work is for anyone grappling with the big questions of selfhood, meaning, and our connection to the world. It speaks directly to those affected by memory loss in their own lives or the lives of loved ones, offering perspective and dignity rather than clinical explanations. Furthermore, it resonates with digital-age thinkers concerned about the erosion of deep memory in an era of constant information flow and technological reliance. Who Are We Without Memory? ultimately illuminates why memory is indispensable, not just for the individual's sense of self, but for the very fabric of society.